Membranes: How Systems Connect and Protect
Every system needs a boundary. A place where the internal world meets the external one. That boundary isn’t just a line—it’s a filter, a threshold, a decision. What comes in? What stays out? What gets expressed? What gets absorbed?
That’s what Membranes are about.
The final two dimensions of Donovan Dynamics—In and Out—describe how systems manage focus and flow. They shape intimacy, communication, visibility, and attention. Membranes help systems stay open without becoming exposed—and closed without becoming isolated.
They’re the most personal of all the dimensions. And often, the most overlooked.
In: Introspection and Absorption
In is about depth. It’s the inward-facing dimension—where attention narrows, meaning deepens, and subtlety matters. In is presence, reflection, focus, and care.
At the Guggenheim, I worked as a web design intern translating the spirit of the museum into a digital space. The building itself is a spiral—a quiet inward journey. Our goal wasn’t to grab attention. It was to hold it. To create a space that felt contemplative, slow, and intentional. That’s In.
In shows up in product design when you build for privacy, for journaling, for restoration. It shows up in team culture when you prioritize listening over reacting. And it shows up in creative work when you make space for intuition instead of noise.
A strong “In” is quiet, but powerful. It’s what makes a system feel grounded, trustworthy, and real.
Out: Expression and Projection
Out is everything a system shares with the world. It’s voice, visibility, presence. While In is about reflection, Out is about resonance. It’s how a system communicates, performs, and connects.
At HuffPost, I designed bold, outward-facing media experiences. Everything was meant to grab attention—to provoke, spread, and engage. Headlines had punch. Layouts were built for speed and sharing. The entire system was optimized for Out.
Out isn’t just about being loud. It’s about being clear. It’s the dimension of visibility and presence—how you show up, what you say, and whether people hear it.
You can’t only design for In. A system that never expresses itself never gets seen. A strong Out is how you reach the world—and how the world reaches back.
Why Membranes Matter
Every system has limits. But the best systems know how to use them—how to create intentional boundaries that manage energy, attention, and expression.
In creates depth, focus, and trust.
Out creates clarity, connection, and reach.
Most systems struggle here. They either leak—trying to do too much, say too much, reach too far—or they close off completely, afraid of exposure. Membranes offer a different path. They say: you can be open without being vulnerable. And you can be expressive without being loud.
Designing with Membranes means thinking about what should stay inside, what should be shared, and what kind of flow you want between the two.
If Fundamentals are what a system is,
Orientations how it behaves,
Coordinates where it’s placed—
Membranes are how it connects and protects.